Pieces of Eight (The Frey Saga, #2)(16)

It was some time later that I broke, unable to stand the conflict in my own mind, the pain I was causing myself. The pain they were causing me? No, I wouldn’t think it. When I finally gave, I found solace in the mind of the hawk as it hovered above us, floating on the current of the wind. I stayed there, void of all other thoughts, until I surrendered and returned to my own tortured body.





In time, I found a compromise with myself. I would only allow a set amount of concentration, a set amount of worry, each day to feed my concern and distress. The rest would be devoted to the one thing I was positive of: we… no, I needed to find council, to release my mind from the bonds that felt like they were killing me.

I could only hope that it would release the memories as well, remove all of the unanswered questions, erase the doubt. Doubt that was even now creeping into every thought I had. How could they? And always, why?





Finally, I was in control of myself enough to continue. Our task was my first priority now. Find council. I focused on my memories of them, the images of their faces. It was all I had but at least it was something.

Ruby scrutinized me, obviously concerned, as we rode through a field of tall grass. I ignored her, pretending to watch my horse steal bites along the way, struggling to keep a steady pace as his head bent sideways securing generous mouthfuls.

She couldn’t stand it for long. “Frey?”

I looked at her blankly. Her eyes went wide. Well, I’d thought it was blankly. I tried to smooth out my face. “Hmm?”

She must not have planned it out, because she apparently had nothing to say. Her face looked slightly tortured. I wondered what she was reading on mine.

She glanced forward, to the backs of the others as they rode in front of us, and then again to me. “Was there something specific you were looking for, in the diary?”

It struck me that she had no idea why I had been reading it again. I’d not mentioned my dream, not my new knowledge. She must have thought I had been upset about Junnie or the human. They must have all thought that. They had no idea that I had remembered.

I realized I was smiling. Some part of me, buried deep inside, was happy about this. It relished the secret knowledge and wanted to protect it. I spoke without thinking. “No, really, it was just a shock is all. I’m fine.”

Her eyebrows knit.

“I’d been meaning to read it. You know, closure.” I almost scoffed at my own words. She was staring at me hard so I changed the subject. “So, where exactly are we going?”

Her face was concerned but she looked forward and nodded ahead to some structure I couldn’t quite make out in the distance. I hadn’t even noticed it before, so tied up in my thoughts.

We rode closer and the shapes became more defined. I kicked up my horse to fall in beside the others for a better view. In the bow of a large ring of trees, pillars of stone rose up in patterns around a massive amphitheater.

I gulped, cringing at the thought of what this place could be. “Grand Council?” I whispered.

“No,” Anvil answered, smiling.

I relaxed a little, letting out the breath I’d been holding.

Chevelle spoke from the front. “The temple of Loelle.”

I could see it more clearly now. It looked like it must have been abandoned long ago. The sandstone pillars were crumbling in places, weeds grew up between the stones. The others stopped and dismounted, leaving the horses as they entered the central building. I followed behind, still cautious. I remembered now my plan to sweep the sky each day, I’d forgotten that during the time spent fretting over Asher, and then I caught myself and focused on the present.

The floors of the temple were covered in a light dusting of the sand from the stones, which made me feel a bit more secure in my abandonment theory. Regardless of my concerns about the group’s relationship with Asher, I was glad they were here now. I knew I would be unable to stand alone to face Grand Council when the time came. Soon.

I shivered and Chevelle stepped beside me, wrapping his arm around my back to place a hand on my opposite shoulder. I forced myself not to look at him, not to betray my emotions.

“We will stay here until Rhys and Rider can locate council.”

I expected to stiffen at his words but realized I already was; I had when he’d first touched me. He must have noticed too, because he dropped his arm as he continued. “You will need to train.”

He turned and walked off without another word but, as if on command, Anvil approached with two large metal rods. Ugh.

We trained through the evening as the others gathered in small groups, planning or watching or checking perimeters. I was exhausted when we finally stopped for dinner and then, almost before I’d finished my last bite, Grey was urging me to train again, practice trying to stop his disappearing acts. It was dark when I finally gave up. I had thought I’d fallen asleep by the fire but when I woke, I was inside my own small hut, complete with soft bedding. I pulled myself out of bed and found immediately that the day’s training had already been planned out. I forced myself not to groan aloud but, internally, I was doing more than my share of complaining.

By the third day, exhaustion was winning out. They pushed me harder and harder, relentless. I was too tired to even be miserable. It reminded me of something that I couldn’t quite place, forced to train, exhausted, paranoid. I cried out as Ruby’s whip cracked at my shoulder and it was a cry of defeat. I fell to my knees, spent.